HANDING IN MY PHD THESIS weekly vlog | PhD student in chemistry

TL;DR

Documenting the emotional process of finishing and submitting a PhD thesis, overcoming challenges, and planning for the future.

Transcript

laughs hello there I am reporting live from my bed it is just before 5 PM and at four o'clock today I finished writing the final chapter of my PhD I set out today with the intention of starting and finishing my conclusions chapter which is basically the chapter that ties everything together you know shows the whole story from start to finish and it... Read More

Key Insights

• 😘 Completion of a PhD thesis involves emotional highs and lows, with moments of motivation and challenges.
• ✍️ Detailed planning and organization are essential for successfully navigating the final stages of writing and submitting a thesis.
• 🧑‍🏭 The impact of external factors like COVID-19 can shape the content and presentation of a thesis, requiring additional context.

Questions & Answers

Q: What motivated the author to finally complete the conclusion chapter of the thesis?

The author found motivation to write the conclusion by reflecting on the emotional journey of their research contributing to the bigger picture, creating a sense of fulfillment.

Q: How did the author handle challenges related to formatting and corrections during the final stage of thesis preparation?

The author manually adjusted page numbers, corrected formatting errors, and enlisted help from a colleague to ensure all chapters and elements aligned correctly before submission.

Q: What significance did COVID-19 have on the author's PhD research, leading to the addition of a COVID impact statement?

COVID-19 greatly impacted the author's research, prompting the inclusion of a COVID impact statement to highlight the specific areas affected by the pandemic and provide context for assessors.

Q: How did the author feel upon successfully submitting the thesis, and what future plans were discussed?

The author felt emotional and relieved upon submitting the thesis, with plans to prepare for the upcoming Viva defense in April while transitioning out of the lab and preparing for a new job.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Detailed documentation of the final stages of writing and submitting a PhD thesis.

• Emotional reflections on the journey from start to finish, including challenges and achievements.

• Planning for the future post-thesis submission, with a focus on upcoming Viva preparation and transitioning out of the lab.